Computer won't post after installing additional ram.

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Travis Knight

Reputable
Jul 25, 2014
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4,510
Hi everyone. The problem I’m experiencing is that I purchased second-hand memory sticks from the ol’ eBay (I know, probably not the best choice, but I’m a student and my budget is a little limited). I did my best to make sure the additional sticks matched the current one in terms of Mhz (and I assume part number, if its KVR800D2N6/2G?). The previous owner showed a picture of the boot up screen with those sticks in an claimed they work well, he’s simply upgraded to a DDR3 system.

I installed the sticks and the boot up screen recognizes it has the additional ram as “6288384K OK”, but as soon as it loads to that point, the computer shuts down and restarts and begins doing this as a cycle.

When the computer starts with the original stick only, it states how much ram is installed on the boot up screen, then says “Memory Runs at Single Channel” and continues loading which is one step further than where I get with the other ram installed.

I’ve tried installing the other additional sticks on their own individually and as a pair (in channels one and three – I’m not entirely certain that’s the correct order) to no avail. The computer simply beeps immediately.

Does anyone have any advice (other than don’t buy secondhand/from eBay)?
I’ve also become aware that having an uneven amount of ram sticks apparently halves the value of the ram; is there any truth to that? I’ve also read that it may be a voltage issue, but after checking, the ram is getting 1.9V of power as opposed to the 1.8V that they require.

CPU: Intel CORE 2 QUAD Q9400/2.66GHz/6MB CACHE – Purchased 13/11/2010;

Mother Board: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR S775,P45,FSB1600,4DDR2,GbLAN,RAID – Purchased 13/11/2010;

Memory #1: Kingston DDR2 2G PC6400 800Mhz (KVR800D2N6/2G) 1.8V – Purchased 27/10/2010;

Memory #2: Kingston DDR2 2G PC6400 800Mhz (KVR800D2N6/2G) 1.8V – Purchased secondhand (claimed working);

Memory #3: Kingston DDR2 2G PC6400 800Mhz (KVR800D2N6/2G) 1.8V – Purchased secondhand (claimed working);

If there’s further information required, please let me know; I’ve tried my best to detail the issue and list what parts I have.

Thanks kindly!

10621903_478x640.JPG

The boot up screen with the single stick.


10621911_478x640.JPG

Comparison of the sticks, top is the original and the two below are the addtional.


10621908_640x478.JPG

Comparison of the sticks, top is the original and the two below are the addtional.
 
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herrwizo

herrwizo

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Feb 17, 2009
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Sir, what you have here is effectively a mix of different RAM modules. They are *not* the same, although they bear the same part name. They are all from different batches and different production year.

For proper operation in dual channel mode, you need either two identical sticks or four identical sticks. Preferably purchased together as a certified dual channel kit.

Three sticks can only operate in single channel mode, and even that only if there are no compatibility issues with your motherboard. And you have compatibility issues here, sir. RAMs are just way too different for your motherboard to accept them even in single channel.

There is also a possibility that you have a defective module(s); your computer should be able to work *perfectly* fine with *any* of these modules provided that they are installed solo, without the other two. If your computer can't properly work even when you use only one module, it is likely that this module is faulty.

Try using memtest to check each module, one by one.
 
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Travis Knight

Reputable
Jul 25, 2014
4
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4,510
Thanks for your reply Herrwizo, I'm a little unsure on purchasing additional sticks; I'm thinking now of just outlaying some money to get four of "Extreme Performance DDR2 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 Enhanced Latency DIMM Kit" (from a local retailer http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=10&id2=111&bid=2&sid=163640 and manufacturer's site http://patriotmemory.com/product/specs/PGS24G6400ELK.pdf). Do you believe that this would be an advisable product for my system?
 
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Travis Knight

Reputable
Jul 25, 2014
4
0
4,510
Here's an update: I collected the 4 sticks of matching ram early this morning, arrived home this evening and I put the first stick in, turned it on and it registered and posted without fail. I continue to put the remaining three in and then I have an issue. I know the first worked, so I take the 2nd out and try again with just three and I have success. I tried the stick that I took out on its own and again, no luck, the computer would just cycle through restarting and shutting off. I put my original kingston stick in to see if I could get the four working and it does exactly that. Computer booted up fully, without issue.

Am I right to say that is a faulty stick and should claim warranty to replace it?


Three of the new "Extreme Performance DDR2 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 Enhanced Latency DIMM Kit" sticks in; loads up as "Flex Memory Mode".




Three of the new "Extreme Performance DDR2 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 Enhanced Latency DIMM Kit" sticks in and the original "Kingston DDR2 2G PC6400 800Mhz" stick in; loads up as "Dual Channel Interleaved".




Where the system gets to before restarting and repeating with the single "Extreme Performance DDR2 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 Enhanced Latency DIMM Kit" stick in.

I'm not sure what else to do to check the potentially faulty stick out as the computer can't get past the boot screen to do anything further with.
 
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